Birthday Party

"Look, what about this? I believe it will look great on you, Norah." Clara pointed at the sparkling ball gown in blue.

They were busy preparing for her birthday party after they came back from South Pacific. They didn't need to worry about catering because Xander's chef was too happy to cook the meal. Then the mansion just need a little touch of birthday vibes at the hall, because it was already beautiful enough.

She had send invitations to her friends at school, they promised they would come to celebrate her birthday. If not arranging her upcoming birthday party, she would study alone at the living room or her room.

Uhm, not alone. Her boyfriend seemed to be her bodyguard also, always there beside her. He didn't let Norah study in peace, she was distracted enough by his presence, but he always teased her like touching her shoulder, whispering nonsense in her ear, or demand her attention.

"But the waist is too small for my size.." She said hesitantly.

Xander was the most kind when he offered a designer to came to the mansion, because she couldn't leave the safety of this house. She looked down at her thick waist, she gained several inches no matter how hard she try to lose weight.

"Oh gosh! Don't worry, miss Norah. We could adjust the dress as if it was made for you.. Come come, try this first." The designer said with a cute tone.

When she was about to take off her clothes, she eyed Liam seating on the sofa with a can of beer in his hand, watching them.

"What?" He asked when Norah looked at him like a pest.

"Step out for a moment, Liam. I want to try this dress." She hissed.

"Then please continue, Norah. I've seen it all." Liam sipped his beer.

She was blushing furiously and sent him a death stare. Clara and the designer looked at each other then chuckled.

"Come on! I want to surprise you on that day.." Norah pouted her lips, she wanted Liam see her wear the dress, with a full make up and hair beautifully arranged. Not now when she only dabbed on baby powder to her face and hair in a bun.

Finally in a sluggish state he left the room.

After hours of deciding the most flattering gown, she decided to wear the first blue gown she tried.

"Clara, you have to choose one too." Norah was sure Xander wouldn't mind if he had to pay for for a dress to Clara.

"Oh there's no need, Norah. I could use one of the dress at my closet." Clara refused. It would be Norah's big day, so she must be the most beautiful person in the room.

With that, the designer left the mansion. He would deliver the dress a day before her party.

Norah jumped on the sofa, her energy was being sapped by the constant changing and fitting. Liam walked inside and being the kind, supportive and charming boyfriend, he massaged her stiff shoulders.

"Uhmm, I didn't see your brother for days, Norah."

The next day after they arrived at the mansion, her brother had already left. Norah and Liam looked at each other.

"You don't know, Clara? He was stationed to Xander's overseas company."

Clara wringed her hands. "So fast? He didn't even say a word to me."

It shouldn't surprise her, Xander made it clear that he would punish someone. Noah was once again stay away and ignored her after Xander caught them jet-skiing together. Maybe it was for the best if Noah is not around. This way, Xander couldn't punish anyone anymore.

"Ah, but he will come back here to celebrate my birthday, he promised." Norah tried to cheer the woman.

"Good then, I just wonder why he didn't wait until after your birthday party."

Clara walked upstairs to her room and found Gemma in hurried state step out of her bathroom. She was surprised to find Gemma in her room, she had finished her task for the day, her room was clean enough.

"Oh, sorry miss Clara.. Umm.. I forgot to clean a spot in your bathroom." She stammered like being caught doing something bad.

Clara laughed at her, "Do not concern so much, Gemma. You could clean it tomorrow."

"Y-yes sure. Then I'll leave if you don't need anything, miss." Clara watched her got out from the room with pale face and erect shoulders. It was not like Gemma at all to behaved that way.

But she was too busy helping Norah with the preparation, that she forgot about their little encounter.

***

Norah descended the stairs with heart thumping wildly, the live band already played the opening music at her entrance. She cursed inside her heart why she agreed to use the eight inches high heels. She was too immersed in her steps, just three more…

"Happy birthday, princess. You look ravishingly beautiful."

She looked up at the man at the end of the stairs, dashingly handsome in his tuxedo, her boyfriend. She almost tripped her foot, but Liam quickly grabbed her hand before she ashamed herself.

"Ups.. I got you, honey." He whispered so sweetly in her ear.

Then her gaze flickered to the hall, it was surprisingly empty. Just a few people's face she didn't recognize, standing there. She deliberately delayed her entrance for fifteen minutes, she didn't get the timing wrong.

Liam saw her expression changed to sorrow, she was about to cry again. "Hey, maybe they were delayed. Not to mention, the mansion is in secluded place."

"Not even my brother is here, Liam." Her lips trembling slightly, so she bit it before she cry her heart out.

Norah was really different tonight, when she descended the stairs. The blue sparkling off the shoulder gown complimented her skin and clear blue eyes. Her blond hair in textured half-up style, classy and glamorous.

"The hell with them, Norah. Let's just celebrate it between us." Liam was about to guide her to the hall, but Norah turned to walk up the stairs.

She took three agonizing steps before the light in the hall turned off in total darkness.

"Happy birthday to you.. Happy birthday to you.." The music started playing, flowing beautifully with their singing.

Norah turned and watch a large group of her friends singing downstairs. The faces she knew so well. There were her classmates, her friends from running club, then the most surprising person that told her she couldn't attend her birthday party.

She was at the center of the group, holding a birthday cake with lit candles on top of it.

Gabriella!

"Happy birthday to Norah.." They ended the song in harmony.

Her eyes welled up with tears, she thought they forgot about her birthday. She thought everyone didn't want to be her friends anymore. Norah ran down to them.

"Guys…" She whispered, moved by the surprise.

"Happy birthday, Norah. Before you hug me, please make a wish and blow the candles first." Gabby said and all of them bursted in laughter.

Norah was nearly squeezed the cake between them if Gabby didn't warn her. So she made a quick wish, because she already pray for her wishes this morning until she was sure God was tired from listening. Then with a deep inhale, she blew out the candles.

They clapped their hands and Gabby was the first one that received her deep embrace.

"Thank you, Gabby.. But how could you come here?"

Her parents made it awfully clear that Gabby must not be friends with Norah again after the incident. So she was a little puzzled, and she hoped that her parents finally had a change of heart.

Gabby laughed, "I was lying to my parents of course. What they know is I'm at someone else's birthday party. But you don't need to worry about that, have a blast birthday and enjoy the night." She said and complimented her looks.

Then one by one they hugged her, congrats her, until she was dizzy by all the overwhelming wishes and gifts. She was glad when all of her friends enjoyed the superb meal with enthusiasm.

Xander arrived later and gave her a small gift box wrapped in a bow. It was so cute.

"Thank you, Xander. With you agreed to let me throw a party here and bought me this dress, it was more than enough." She blushed furiously.

Norah never said a word considering she had a bit of 'relationship' with him. And Xander didn't look like he mind.

She opened the box and found a silver key inside, she looked at him, not believing her eyes.

"It is your apartment key. It's near to the college and the most convenient…"

Norah hugged him before he could finish his words. "Thank you so much, Xander. For everything you'd done to me. You're the reason why I got to know Liam."

Someone cleared his throat in annoyance. "Excuse me, but the last I check, you're not her boyfriend anymore."